Two Karnataka youths convicted in POCSO case for sexually harassing minor girl

Mangaluru: Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO FTSC-1) Judge Vinay D sentenced two youths for sexually harassing a minor girl.

The convicted - Abdul Kareem (39), a resident of Ilantila in Belthangady Taluk had been working as a beedi worker and Sadiq (34) was working as an autorickshaw driver in Mogru village.

When a minor girl was walking towards Nelolda Palke in Bhandaru village on June 18, 2023, to deposit money in a rural development project, Kareem stopped the autorickshaw and asked her to get into the auto.

The autorickshaw driver Sadiq also invited her when she hesitated. After she got into the rickshaw Kareem gave her Rs 200 to deposit it and return to the auto.

When she refused the money. Kareem inappropriately touched her, following which, the girl jumped out of the autorickshaw and injured herself.

A case was registered at Dharmasthala police station.

The first accused Abdul Kareem has been sentenced to five years of simple imprisonment and slapped with a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 8 of POCSO Act.

He has been asked to undergo six months of additional imprisonment if he fails to pay a fine. He was also sentenced to a five-year sentence and a 5,000 rupee fine under Section 3(1)(w)(i) of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, with an additional 6 months if the fine is not paid.

Additionally, under Section 3(2) (va) of the SC/ST Act and Section 354A(1)(i) of the IPC, he was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped with a fine of Rs 5,000.

The second accused, Sadiq, was sentenced to three years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 8 of the POCSO Act. Bantwal Subdivision Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Pratap Singh Thorat conducted the investigation and submitted a charge sheet in the court.